Three Weeks To Go

Since I received such a positive reaction to my “Six Weeks To Go” post – which I really appreciate – about the best worst aspects of pregnancy, I thought I’d write a little bit more about the social aspects of what’s it’s like to go through this process:

Five things I’ve learned:

• People have a case of the “just waits.” It’s amazing how often people will say “just wait” to you when you’re pregnant. “You think you’re not sleeping now? Just wait.” “You think you’re tired now? Just wait.” “You think your body hurts now? Just wait.” It’s like people constantly feel the need to warn you about things that you already know are going to be hard.
• You’re constantly getting told to keep track of everything. While in some instances, keeping track of things like hormones and ovulation is necessary for medical reasons, and of course doctors appointments for obvious reasons, there is so much information out there that it gets to the point where it’s too much. Not everything needs an app.
• Carefully choose who you listen to. Although unsolicited advice seems to come out of every corner of the world when you’re pregnant, there are people who have advice you want to hear. I’ve been very lucky enough to have close friends and family help me get through the tough lifestyle change that is pregnancy. They have been a phone call or a text away the entire time and it’s made all the difference.
• People love talking about the effects of altitude. When you live in the Rocky Mountains, altitude is a major topic of discussion regardless of whether or not you’re pregnant. My favorite has been people assuring me that having babies at altitude affects the size and timeline of childbirth. I’ve heard “they say babies born at altitude come early” as many times as I’ve heard “they say babies born at altitude come late.” I asked my doctor and he said there is no research that supports babies coming early or late based on altitude. But thanks for playing!
• The excitement is contagious. It’s been really fun hearing and seeing people’s reactions throughout the last nine months. People are genuinely excited for us which in turn makes us even more excited. Being surrounded by those who are interested in the process, the timeline, and tell us we’re going to be great parents means a lot.

Eight phrases/questions I’ve heard/been asked the most often:

• Have you picked out a name yet? Yes, but we’re not telling anyone until he’s born.
• Are you going to have a natural birth? Do you mean am I planning to have the baby vaginally (why are we talking about my body parts?) or am I going to get an epidural?
• I can’t believe how fast it’s gone. Oh really? I’m so glad these nine months have gone by so fast for you!
• Were you guys trying? Yes, but what if the answer was that this pregnancy was unplanned? What would you have said next?
• You can have a glass of wine a week. How are you qualified to tell me that? I must have missed when you attended medical school!
• Do you think you’ll have more than one kid? Um, can I get through this pregnancy and can we see how it goes with this kid first?
• Enjoy ___ now because everything is about the change. Yes, my boyfriend and I are well aware that bringing a small human into the world and into our home (that we are 100 percent responsible for) is going to change things.
• Are you guys ready? We think so! Are you offering to help?

We are three weeks from our due date and are getting very excited. Baby Boy Fleming is coming soon!